U.K. rock act Supergrass continues its album-by-album evolution on “Road to Rouen,” due Aug. 15 internationally via Parlophone and Sept. 27 in North America via Capitol. First single “St. Petersburg” will be commercially released on Aug. 8; a video for the piano-tinged track can be viewed at RoadToRouen.co.uk
Recording in its own newly built studio near Normandy, France, allowed Supergrass to start with a clean slate, as well as capture what bassist Mick Quinn says is the “real rawness” the band enjoys in pre-production.
The album opens with the multi-faceted “Tales of Endurance,” splitting the difference between the ominous folk-rock of Led Zeppelin’s “Gallows Pole” with the strutting swagger of that group’s “Trampled Under Foot” and “In the Evening.” The Zeppelin influence also looms over closer “Fin,” which adorns a melody not unlike that of “Going to California” with ethereal vocal effects and plucked notes.
Elsewhere, Supergrass puts its own spin on “I am the Walrus”-style balladry with “Sad Girl,” layers strings, backing vocals and soulful organ atop “Roxy” and offers a glimpse at past glories on the cheeky pop/rocker “Kick in the Teeth.”
The band also conjures a saloon-worthy sing-a-long on “Low C” and weaves an Old West motif through the swaying guitar lines of the peppy, 150-second instrumental “Coffee in the Pot.”
Supergrass begins a two-week U.K. acoustic tour Aug. 4 in London, to be followed by a full electric trek in October. The group will visit North America early next year.
Here are Supergrass’ tour dates:
Aug. 4: London (Somerset House)
Aug. 8: Manchester, England (Royal Northern College of Music)
Aug. 9: Glasgow (Roan Mor)
Aug. 10: Birmingham, England (Glee Club)
Aug. 11: Brighton, England (Komedia)
Aug. 13: Oxford, England (Playhouse)
Aug. 16: Leeds, England (City Varities)
Aug. 17: London (Hammersmith Working Men’s Club)
Oct. 6: Reading, England (Hexagon)
Oct. 7: Cardiff, Wales (University Great Hall)
Oct. 8: Birmingham, England (Academy)
Oct. 9: Manchester, England (Ritz)
Oct. 11: Glasgow (ABC)
Oct. 12: Nottingham, England (Rock City)
Oct. 13: London (Hammersmith Apollo)
Oct. 15: Sheffield, England (University)
Oct. 16: Liverpool, England (Academy)
Oct. 17: Newcastle, England (Academy)
Oct. 19: Southampton, England (Guildhall)
Oct. 20: Folkestone, England (Leas Cliff Hall)
Oct. 21: Norwich, England (University of East Anglia)
